it's time to get above ourselves

Closer

We’ve been a working on a special project which goes to press today. It’s our new journal Closer which will be launched at The After Party on Sat 21 Sept at the Bongo Club, Edinburgh.
It’s a limited edition newspaper format with some of the best commentary around as we mark the milestone of ‘one year to go’.

The writers were invited to respond to the challenge of imagining a new Scottish democracy. What changes will help transform Scottish society when we get the powers to control our own affairs? How can we get closer to democracy, closer to land, closer to nature, closer to a way of living that isn’t so distorted by the economics of exploitation? It’s an amazing snapshot of hope, potential and vision.

Isobel Lindsay asks what would a demilitarised Scotland look and feel like? Lucy Conway explores the Eigg electricity model writ large across Scotland. José M. Ramos examines how new peer to peer practices are shaping a new politics.Andy Wightmanlooks at how we can extend the idea of self-determination down to a local level.Fraser Macdonald questions ideas about wildness and wilderness. Dougald Hine on how DIY and hacker culture can help a new country when state and market have failed. Lesley Riddoch on what Scotland needs to flourish …Kevin Williamson on why we need a new digital democracy. Douglas Stuart Wilson on ‘maximum cultural diversity’. Robin McAlpineon moving away from an economy based on low income low skilled jobs. Cat Boyd on union laws and social justice. Elaine Morrison on an alternative to polluting rip-off energy systems that are staring us in the face. Iain Mackinnon on language, culture(s) and ‘large scale solidarity’.

Special thanks got to Pat at Product magazine for proofing and editing assistance and Kieran McCann for very lovely design ideas and patience and to Momus for allowing us to use his image for the cover.

That’s what Bella Caledonia is all about.

But we need your support to move forward…

21 Comments

charlesobrien08
5 years ago

I will make the march,with help from my wife pushing me (around as usual) got a new wheelchair so keeping it for the march to “christen it”.I cant make any of the “parties” but hope it all goes well,at them,if you notice me say hello please,I can be a bit shy.Here’s hoping we get some publicity this time.

wanvote
5 years ago

Murray McCallum
5 years ago

Interested to hear about scaling up the Eigg community power generation model to other areas. This really could contribute to a wide range of issues – from energy security to regenerating rural areas, let alone sustainable energy.

bellacaledonia
5 years ago

Yeah Murray its a pretty amazing story – the core idea – beyond the technical – is reconsidering energy demand as a collective responsibility not a private ‘need’ and as a public service not a private utility.

cjenscook
5 years ago

Scaling up requires a 21st century legal framework, and instruments for financing development and funding operation. Interestingly, these are to be found in updating those which pre-date modern capitalism, and indeed, by about a decade, Scotland itself.

bellacaledonia
5 years ago

bellacaledonia
5 years ago

Juteman
5 years ago

I didn’t intend any criticism of the journal. It will probably be worth every penny, but who will buy it, apart from the already motivated?
It needs to be read in pubs and cafes by folk that NEED to read it.

bellacaledonia
5 years ago

bellacaledonia
5 years ago

I think in terms of the ‘already motivated’ – we’d hope that the approach – which is drawing on a much wider pool of people and a much deeper pool of ideas will have an appeal beyond the already-committed.

bellacaledonia
4 years ago

jason gall
4 years ago

Jamie Prendergast
4 years ago

Are there any copies still available? And would it be possible to collect one rather than post? I am doing research on the new wave of independence focused ‘alternative’ Scottish media and it would be very useful if I could get my hands on a copy this week.